Chapter 5 - Back to Toby’s

Toby stared at himself in the mirror. The XL wasn't a perfect fit. It still felt tight, but fit much better in comparison than the large which let the bottom of his belly hang out. Toby glanced to the other tops he has yet to try on, and groaned. He hated trying on clothes, let alone with Ronnie.

Ronnie knocked on the door, "You okay?"

"Um, yeah.. I'll be out in a second." He pulled down the top to make it cling less to his stomach, and walked out, "It fits." He smiled, looking down at the small girl.

Ronnie smiled, "You look great, Toby!" She looked him up and down.

Toby smiled, "Really?" His face flushed. Even though he hated trying on clothes, he liked seeing her face when he walked out with a new top. It made him feel special, he'd never gotten this attention before.

"Of course! You look a lot more comfortable. Those other tops were a bit too tight for you." She smiled, "Have you tried the others on?"

Toby shook his head, awkwardly scratching his head, "Not yet, but I'm sure they'll fit.." He said, hoping.

Ronnie smirked, glancing down at his small underbelly that was revealed when he scratched his head. She held out some white shirts, "Well, I got you some shirts, too! For college, obviously... I noticed when we first met that they didn't fit.. that well.." She said, softly, looking up at Toby, not trying to hurt the chubby boys feelings.

Toby's heart dropped. Whilst he knew Ronnie was right, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. He really did let himself go, and everyone noticed, despite his best attempts to make the shirts fit. Maybe it was time to start going to the gym again, especially since he might be getting somewhere with Ronnie.. After all, 'who wants to date the college fatty?', he thought. Toby put on a smile, "Yeah.. Ahah.. Thanks, Ronnie.." He took the shirts, heading back into the dressing room.

After trying on the rest of the tops, he felt a lot more confident. They all fit perfectly, and seeing Ronnie's face when he came out of the changing rooms really made him feel like a different person. However, he now had another problem. The shirts.
As he buttoned the first one on, he found them to be quite a challenge; the middle button in particular. The shirt was definitely less roomy than the t-shirt. True, it was better than the large by a landslide, but his shirt still gaped slightly, which meant he had to suck in whenever he wore it. True, he could just get the size up, but risk humiliating himself even more? No chance, he thought. Besides, they probably aren't fitting perfectly because he's bloated. He turned to the side, and instantly knew it was a mistake. The shirt definitely highlighted his slight overhang. But, his chest was slightly flattened out, making his moobs less visible. As his eyes travelled up, his eyes fixated on his face. God, it looked puffy. His cheeks certainly had softened out, even if he took a selfie you could tell he was chubby. His eyes dropped slightly, now concentrating on his chin. He definitely had a double chin now, more now than ever. Even if he was to buy a size up, it wouldn't cover his plumped up face.

"Come on, Toby! I'm excited to see it on you." Ronnie called out.

"..Oh, yeah. It fits!" He laughed, nervously, not wanting to go out from the comfort of his fitting room. Especially now since the shirt collar ultimately pushed up the fat stored below his chin.

"Come out then, Tobe!" She laughed.

Just as he was about to take the shirt off, he stopped. Hearing the nickname that Ronnie called him instantly made him feel comfortable again, and even let him ignore the ill-fitting shirt. 'Tobe' he thought, letting it run through his head. Maybe he could just let her see, there's no harm, especially if he sucks in. With that, he sucked in, making the suit appear to fit perfectly, and walked out of the changing room.

Ronnie paused, and smiled, "You look amazing, really smart, Toby!" She patted down the sides, her hands lingering at his love handles, "Is this one a bit tight? It feels a little snug here." She gently squeezed the love handles, which caused Toby to jolt back slightly, and suck in even more.

"No, no, it's fine! Feels great." He smiled, tugging down on the shirt, avoiding eye-contact with her, "I need a nickname for you. You called me.. Tobe." He glanced at her, "So what do I call you, Ron?" He chuckled, attempting to change the subject from his protruding stomach and love handles.

She shook her head, "Noo, Ron is a boys name!" She laughed.

"Okay.. How about Veronica?" He smirked, "That's cute, right?"

Ronnie felt her heart skip a beat, "Y..Yes, I like that, Tobe." She smiled, "Okay, last shirt.. Then we can go back to your place! To do more.. Studying!"

"I'd love that, Ver. I'll just take this off, and I'll take you back to my place."

Ronnie smiled and nodded, "Be quick then, Toby! Don't forget to try the other shirt on." She teased.

Toby didn't try the other shirt on, assuming it would just fit. He was too excited to spend more time with Ronnie and figuring out what to do! But, knowing Ronnie, she’d insist on ordering food. ‘I’m sure she’s noticed my recent gain.. More now than ever, seeing as she has seen me practically burst out of my shirt…’ Suddenly, seeing more of Ronnie doesn’t seem like a good idea. True, the new tops cover him a lot better, but it doesn’t change the fact that he still hasn’t lost any weight from when they first met. This time, he’ll finally go to the gym. Toby smiled, and walked out, “Ready?”